The three major political parties will conclude their annual think-ins today.

Fine Gael, Labour and Fianna Fáil will all continue their discussions on the shaping of budget 2014. The parties will also map out their strategies for next year's European and local elections. 

Yesterday, Fine Gael Finance Minister Michael Noonan insisted that the next budget does not need to be a €3.1 billion correction. Fianna Fáil also declared the planned budget total is excessive.

However, he also stated that now is not the time for slacking, and that the budget has to be about getting us out of the bailout by running a primary balance or surplus.

Labour's Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Brendan Howlin agreed that the budget could be imposed without imposing more austerity: "We will have a deficit next year of below 5.1 - I think we can do that without having to impose further austerity or taxes to the amount of 3.1 billion." 

In Waterford, Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin was telling his Parliamentary Party that the €3.1 billion budget was excessive.

"We're committed to the three percent over the two budgets, and the overall targets that have been set," he said.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny would not be drawn on what size the budget needs to be.

Today’s think-ins will likely turn to the upcoming Seanad referendum and tomorrow's return of the Dáil.